Swampscott Fire To Hose Down The Children To Help Keep Them Cool

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott is providing residents two ways to cool down amid this extreme heatwave over the next couple of days.

Which one you choose depends on whether you want some quiet air conditioning or the firehose.

Swampscott will open the Public Library a cooling center on Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The location is open to all residents and will have both air conditioning and water available.

For those on the slightly more adventurous side, the Swampscott Fire Department will bring Ladder 21 truck and hoses to the Stanley School field at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday for a little cool down, spray down.

All are welcome at the school, but parents must accompany children to the hose-down.

The town asks that all residents keep these general heat safety tips in mind during the very high temperatures"

• Avoid strenuous activity; cover your head with a hat wide enough to protect your face; and wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Complete outdoor activities in the early morning or wait until the evening
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
• NEVER leave people or pets in a parked car. Leaving a window open is not enough- temperatures inside the car can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within the first 10 minutes, even with a window cracked open.
• Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Read the CDC’s list of heat-related illness warning signs on their website.
• Check on your friends and neighbors to make sure they are staying safe.

Those with any questions or concerns about heat-related issues should call the town of Swampscott at 781-596-8850.

Always call 911 in an emergency.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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